BY CATRIONA GALLEN
TEENAGERS using the Internet to issue threats and organise fights in local towns are under increasing scrutiny from Gardai.
Groups of youths from Letterkenny, Ballybofey and surrounding towns have been using the Internet site Bebo to issue threats and propagate gang war fare. In recent weeks groups of teenagers have arranged to meet up for fights in Ballybofey and in the Market Square in Letterkenny. Fortunately no incidents were recorded but Gardai are taking the threat of violence seriously.
Teenagers have formed gangs with their own identity with those from Letterkenny uniting under the banner "LYT" - Letterkenny Youth Team or "LYT 4 Life". There is a dedicated Bebo site under which threats are issued to young people living in: Dunfanaghy, Milford, Ballybofey, Lifford and Castlefin.
Last Saturday anything up to twenty Letterkenny teenagers from 14 years upwards travelled to Ballybofey to attack a Ballybofey gang. Ugly insults were flung at one individual and Gardai are aware of the incident. Statements have been taken in relation to the incident which is believed to have started with a row about a girl.
There have been allegations of intimidation and graffiti was sprayed in the vicinity of the Balor theatre. These are also being investigated.
The weekend activity follows en d of term taunts issued by rival secondary school students which involved a gang from Ballybofey who had arranged to fight others in the Market Square on Thursday last. Teenage girls are also using the on-line site to issue spiteful comments and incite fights.
Gardai are also looking closely at the content of each page highlighted to them as 14 year olds arrange drinking parties and boast about smoking cannabis at various locations. There is also concern about the intensity of vindictive and bullying comments directed toward individuals and offensive jibes contained on-line.
A dedicated Garda team has been tasked to glean intelligence from the Bebo website. They have been reviewing the use of the Internet by Donegal teenagers for some time and have been compiling lists. They are also investigating boasts contained on line in relation to the theft of a camera and other items.
Inspector Pat O'Donnell said: "Gardai have been monitoring Bebo for sometime and we have been gathering intelligence on a number of users. Teenagers are using Bebo and mobile phones to initiate fights and 'happy slapping' incidents.
"Gardai in towns throughout the county are aware of a number of incidents and matters are under investigation," he said. Inspector O'Donnell said he was not aware of any fights which had taken place after being organised on Bebo but were aware of a number of attempts.
"It is a matter of parental responsibility and I would encourage parents to become more involved in their children's on-line activities.
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There is a certain childish element to some of the content on Bebo, inviting people to join virtual bands and gangs but there are always some elements which take it too far. Parents should also monitor the content of Bebo pages and be aware that teenagers are inciting violence and engaging in bullying on-line," he said.
Inspector O'Donnell also raised concerns about teenagers placing their personal details on line. "Teenagers are placing their personal details on the web some with contact details which is available to a wide range of users. I would also be concerned about the use of the Internet by peadophile elements using it to communicate with young people," he added.
